Hydraulic valve



Sept. 4, 1951 H. P. KUPh-:c 2,567,073

HYDRAULIC VALVE Filed May 25, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FTIE'Z' FIJ-:5v5 l INVENToR #4f/fr 7? /Pzec.

Sept- 4, 1951 H. P. KUPlr-:c 2,567,073

HYDRAULIC VALVE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1946 FLL-E. FP1-ELX.

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Patented Sept. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC VALVE Harry P. Kupiec, Fair Lawn, N. J., assigner to Air Associates, Incorporated, Teterboro, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 25, 1946, Serial No. 672,297

3 Claims.

This invention relates to hydraulic valves and while not limited thereto the same has particular reference to a hydraulic valve and control therefor for reversing the 110W of a uid for the purpose of raising and lowering landing gear of airplanes or actuating other operational mechanisms.

The invention comprehends a hydraulic valve which provides a simplied means of control of hydraulically operated mechanisms and which is compact and economizes in weight and space which it occupies, is capabley of operating with standard aircraft pressures as well as in systems using pressures of less than 1000 pounds per square inch and in excess of 3000 pounds per square inch, and in which the hydraulic iluid may be oil, water or other liquid or air or a gas.

The invention further has in View a hydraulic valve having valve elements for controlling the flow of a fluid therethrough by differential` of pressure on opposite parts of the valve elements which is established by bleeding from the valve a small quantity of the fluid through an auxiliary or control valve.

The invention also has for an object the provision of a hydraulic valve having pairs of valve elements of the poppet type mounted for reciprocatory movement in a valve body for controlling the flow f the uidtherethrough by the bleeding of a small quantity of the fluid from the valve. one of the pairs of valve elements functioning to direct the ow of the fluid in one direction through service ports to hydraulically operated mechanism while the other pair of poppet valves functioning to direct the flow of the fluid in the opposite direction through said ports.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, reference is now made to the following. specification and accompanying drawings in which the preferred. embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

Inv the drawings:

Fig, 1 is a plan view of a hydraulic system connected with cylinders for raising and lowering the landing gear of an airplane and which includes a hydraulic valve and control therefor constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken approximately on line 2 2 of the hydraulic valve shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken approximately on line 3 3 of the valve.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately onl lineV 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken approximately on line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a similar view taken approximately on line 5 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a similar view taken approximately on line 1 1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the control valve taken approximately on line 8 8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a transversevertical sectional view taken approximately on line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a similar view taken approximately on line I0 I0 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken approximately on line l I I I of Fig. 8.

Fig.. 12 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2 embodying a modified form of hydraulic valve constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 13 is a transverse vertical sectional view therethrough.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on line I4 I4 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on line I5 I5 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is` a similar view taken approximately on line I5 I6 of Fig; 12.

Fig. 17 is also a similar view taken approximately on line Il I'I of Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the valve is illustrated in the drawings in its applicationl to a system for hydraulically controlling mechanisms for operatingr landing gear for airplanes. It isnot limited to such use, however, and may be employed inl any device for moving pistons and the like in opposite directions. In the embodiment illustrated the valve indicated generally by the reference character A is connected in a hydraulic asystem with pressure supply and return lines I0 and II, bleed lines I2 and I3 leading to opposite ports of an auxiliary or control valve B and service lines I4 and I5 leading to opposite ports of one or more cylinders for operating a mechanism and which as illustrated leads to cylinders C, D and E for operating the left main gear, nose wheel, and right main gear of a landing gear of an airplane. v

The valve A consists of a valve body I6 of any desired configuration and which as illustrated is of rectangular formation in vertical and hori zontal sections'. The body I6 is formed with four parallel wells or bores I'l, I 8, I9 and 20 which open through the upper face thereof and are arranged with the boresv I1 and I8 located centrally on the longitudinal medial line of the body adjacent the opposite ends thereof and with the bores I9 and 2-0- located centrally on the transverse medial line of the body adjacent the opposite sides thereof. The bores I1 and I8 are similar in formation and depth and have reduced bores 2l arranged coaxially therewith and extending downwardly therefrom with their lower ends terminating adjacent the lower face of the body. The bores I9 and 20 are also of similar formation and depth and have reduced bores 22 and 23 arranged coaXially therewith and extending successively downward therefrom with the lowermost bore 23 terminating adjacent the lower face of the body.

The valve body I6 is formed with a threaded aperture 24 located adjacent the top wall thereof and opening at its inner end into the bores I8 and 26.l Communicating with the aperture 24 through the bore 28 is a diagonal passageway 25 which opens into the bores I1 and I9. The .apertureZll` threadedly receives the pressure supply line I6 so as to provide a fluid pressure port leadingto the bores I1, I8, I9-and 20 for admitting fluid under pressure thereto. YThe valve body I6 is also provided with a threaded aperture 26 which opens through the same side wall thereof as the threaded aperture 24Y and. communicates at its inner end with a diagonal passageway 21 opening into the reduced `bores 22. 'The aperture 26 threadedly receives the return line II and defines a return port for discharging the fluid from the reduced bores through the return line I I.

Located'below the pressure supply port 24 and above the bottom of the bores I9 and 26 are threaded apertures 28 and 29 in the valve body which open through the opposite end walls thereof and communicate at their inner ends with the bores I1 and I8. The said apertures receive the threadedends ofthe bleed lines I2 and I3 and have reduced'passagewaysV 30 communicating at their inner ends with the bores I9 and 28 for conveying a small portion of the duid from said bores through the auxiliary or control valve B. The service lines I4 and I5 are connected with .threaded ports 3l and 32 in the valve body which open through the opposite ends thereof and com- -municate with the reduced bores 2I and 23.

Y The flow ofthe fluid through the valve body I6 is controlled by the movement of valve elements 33, 34, 35 and 36 arranged in the bores I1, I8,- I Sand -26 respectively. The valve elements Y33 and 34 control the flow of the uid Ythrough the service ports 3| and 32 while the Vvalve elements 35 and 36 control the return of the fluid through said ports. The valve elements 33 and 34,-are of similar formation and each consists of a stem 31 having a conical shaped end "38 adapted to engage a valve seat 39 at the upper ends of the reduced-bores- 2I for closing the passageways to the service-ports 3l and 32. The stems 31 are each formed-with a longitudinal extending central bore 40 opening through the up- ;per end thereof and having lateral outlets 4I opening into the bores I 1 and I8 above the conical shaped lower end 38 thereof. The stems 31 have peripherally grooved annular flanges 42 above the lateral-outlets 4I in which are arranged an- `nularVV sealing elements 44 snugly engaging with -the peripheral walls of the bores I1 and I8 respectively so as to prevent leakage of the fluid -past said flanges. The said flanges also constitute Vpistonheads for effecting movement of the valve elements in opposite directions by the presposed in the upper ends of the bores I1 and I8 and which elements are formed with quadrantly spaced lateral openings 46 located in alignment with the passageways leading to the fluid pressure port 24. The annular elements are formed with peripherally grooved flanges 41 and 48 located above and belowthe lateral openings 46 in which are arranged annular sealing elements 49 for preventing leakage of the uid admitted thereto through the fluid pressure port 24. The said annular elements have closed upper ends 50 and are retained in position in the bores by means of split rings 5I engaging in grooves in the peripheral walls of the .bores adjacent the upper ends thereof.

In order to prevent leakage of the fluid from the annular elements 45 into the annular spaces above the anges 42 of the stems 31, the upper ends ofthe stems are formed with peripherally grooved flanges 52 in which are arranged annular sealing elements 53 snugly engaging against the inner walls ofthe annular elements. The valve elements 33 and 34 are normally maintained with the conical shaped ends 38 in engagement with the seats 39 by means of coiled expansion springs 54 located within the annular elements 45 and tensioned between theclosed ends 50 and the flanged upper endsfof thestems 31. A plurality of relatively small apertures 55 open through the walls of the bores 46 to permitV the passage of the fluid from said bores into the annular spaces above the flanges 42. Y The valve elements35 and 36'are of similar formation and each consists of a stem 56 having a conical shaped lower end 51 adapted to engage an annular valve seat 58 at thel upper end of each of the reduced bores 23 yfor shutting 01T the passageways to theservice ports 3l and 32. 'I'he said stems are each provided with spaced peripherally grooved annular flanges 58, 59 and 60 in which are arranged annular sealing elements 6I, 62 and 63 snugly engaging with the annular walls of the reduced bores 22, the bores I 9 and 28 and the inner annular walls of annular elements 64 respectively. The flanges 59 provide piston heads against which the pressure of the fluid is exerted for effecting movement of said valve elements in opposite directions by the differential of the pressure of the 4fluid thereon regulated by the control valve B.

The annular elements 64 are formed with quadrantly spaced apertures 65 for admitting fluid from the fluid pressure port 24 and above and below the said apertures the annular elements are provided with peripherally grooved annular flanges 66 and 61 in which are arranged annular sealing elements 68 and 69 for preventing leakage of the fluid from within said annular elements. The annular elements 64 are secured in the upper ends of the bores I 9 and 26 by means of split rings 1I] secured in annular grooves 1I in the inner faceV of the bores and disposed against-the closed .ends 12 of said annular element.Y The said `valve elements 35 and 36 are normally maintained in seated engagement on the valve seats 58 byvmeans of coiled expansionspring 13 located within the annular elements and tensioned against the closed Yends 12 thereof and against the upper ends of the stems 56. The valve elements 35 and 36 are each provided with longitudinally extending bores 14 in the stems 56 Vthereofwhich open through the upper ends thereof and have lateral openings 15 and 16 for admitting fluid to the annular spaces above and below the intermediate flanges 58 thereof.

'J'heA differential'. off fluid pressureA on` opposite sides' of' the flanges. 42 of the: valve elements 33 andi 3:44 and.` above; and. below the: anges 5.9' of the valve elements 35 and 3,8 is obtained by bleeding` a relatively' smalli quantity of. the fluid: from the-- annular spaces between thel flanges 42 and the-1 annular elements 45 and' from the annular spaces between theflanges 59 and they annular elements 64 t-hrough-i the ports.y 218.v and 29 and the bleedv linesl I2 and` I3 and' discharging the same-through the controlvalve B;

The control valve` B consists of a valve body 11 formed with aligned threadedj apertures` 18, 19and- 88 l opening through-theV lower face thereof andwhich-communicate respectively with chambers. 8|, 82V and 83 by means of reduced connecting passageways 84, 85 and.l86. The chambers 8| and- 83 are disposed in, longitudinal. alignmentv and constitute valve chambers for reciprocatory valve elements 8,1., andhavingtapered forward ends adapted t engage and` SeatonC reduced openings 89 and 98 located at the inner ends thereof and communicating with the intermediate chamber 82. Thev valve elements 81 and` 88 are normally maintained inv seated engagement soas to close the openings. 89 and 98 by.. means of `coiled expansion springs 9 .I and 92 tensioned against the ends of the chambers and thereduced outer ends of the valve elements. A shaft. 93 is arranged in the intermediate chamber 82 and is provided with a handle 94 on the protruding upper end thereof for manually turning the shaft. The shaft 93 is formed with a cam. 95 at the lower end. thereof which is adapted to selectively engage the reduced inner ends 96 and 91 of the valve elements. 81 and 88 for camming the valve elements away from seated engagement with the openings 89 and 98 respectively. The valve elements 88. and 89 are of triangular formation in cross-sectional configuranon to. permit of thepassage of the fluid from the threaded apertures 18 and 88 through the valve chambers andK into the intermediate charnber 82 when the valves are in open relationand thence through the threaded aperture 19 for dischargethrougha wastepipe 98. The bleed' lines I 2 and I3 respectively connect with the threaded 'apertures 18 and 88 for conveying the uidvfrom thevalve A to the control valve B.

InA use and operation the pressure supply line |78 is connected with a source of supply to produce the desired pressure in the fluid forced through the system while the return line II is connected with the return side of the source of supply. When the valve is to be actuated for operating a mechanism in one direction such as the raising ofV the landingl gear of an airplane the handle 94 of the control valve B is turned 'so as to cam one of the valve elements 8 1 or 8,8 to open relation. If the valve element 81` is moved to open relation the fluid pressure above the flange 42 of the valve element 33 and the fluid pressure above the flange 19 of the valve element 36 will be decreased whereby the pressure below said flanges willv force the valve elements upwardly olf the valve seats 39 and 51 respectively to thereby open the passageways to the 4service ports 3| and 32 and permit the passage of: the fluid from the supply port 24 through the openings 46 in the annularelement 45 and thence through the bore 48 ofv the valve element 33', side openings 4|, passageway 2|, service port 3| and service line I4 to the cylinders C, 'D and E. The fluid from the said cylinders i'sreturned throughthe servicel line IA and: thence through the. port- 32, passagewaysv 23- and 22 andthe dis.- charge port. 26:vv and return line II. llvhenl the fluid. is flowing in this direction the valve ele.- ments 33 and 36 are in open relation; whilethe valve elements 34v and 35 are in clOSQd relation. If'` it is desired to move the operating mechanism iny the opposite directionv such as lowering the landingv gear the handle member 94. o fthe control valve B is moved in the opposite direction to cam the valve element 88 to open relation thus reducing the pressure above the flange-42 of the valve element 34. and above the flange 59 of the valve element 35 to thereby open said valve elements and permit the flow of the fluid through the service port 32 and returned through the service port` 3| or in the opposite direction than that previously described.

I'heapertures` 55 in the valve. elements 33l and 34 and thev apertures 15 inthe valve elements135 andv 35 are relatively. small soas to limit the flow 0fy the. fluid into the. annular spaces between the flanges of the valve elements and the annular elements 45 and, 64.. whereby the pressure in. the annular spaces abover the flanges will be quickly reduced upon actuation of the control valveB to open the bleed lines I2 and I3 respectively.

'The pressure on the opposite sideof. said flanges functions to move the valve elements to dispose the flanges against the ends of the annular elements 45 and 54. thus Closing the apertures 55 in the valve elements 33 and 34. andthe apertures 15 in the valve elements 35 and 36.

In the form ofthe invention illustrated in Figs. 12 to 17 inclusive of the drawings, a modified form of valve indicated generally by the reference character C is shown which includes a valve body |88 formedl with four parallelv wells or bores I8I, |82, |83 and |84 which are similar to the wells or bores in the valve bodt7 I6 in the previous form of the invention. The bores. I III and |82 are of similar formation and are formed with valve seats |85 at theupper ends of the reduced bores |86. Mounted in the bores I8I and |02 for reciproeatory movement towards and away fromthe valve seats are valve elements |81 having flanged stems |88 arrangedywith the free ends of the stems slidably disposed in annular recesses |89 in threaded plugs |I8 which close the outer ends of the bores. The Valve elements |81 are normally maintained in engagement with the valve seats by means of coiled expansion spr-ings III tensioned against the plugs II8 and the free ends of the stems of the valve elements.

Thebores |83 and Ill-'Il are of similar formation and are formed with valve seats I I2 at the juncture. of the reduced bores |I3 and |I4. Mounted -for reciprocatory movement towards and away from the valve seats are valve elements 5 formed with flanged stems I6 arranged with the free ends of the stems slidably disposed in annularlrecesses |`|1 in threaded plugs I I8 which close thel outer ends ofthe bores. The valve elements are normally maintained in resilient engagement with the seats by coiled expansion springs I|9 located between the inner ends of the annular recesses |^|1 andthe free ends of the stems of the valve elements.

`Infthis form of the. invention the valve body L88" is provided with a dischargey port |28 communicating through' a diagonal passageway with the reduced b ores I |3=between the valve seats I I2 tlfiereofr andv the flanges I2I. similar to the discharge portv 26 in the previous form of the invention.A The valve. body |88v is alsoV provided with servicez ports I22fand |23 opening through the opposite sides thereof and which communicate` respectively with one of the reduced bores |06 and one of the reduced bores H4. vBleed ports |24 and |25 are also provided similar to the bleed ports 28 and 29 in the previous form of the invention, the bleed port |24 communicating with the bores I! and |04 while the bleed port |25 communicates with the bores |02 and |03 above the iianges of the valve elements |81 and H5.

In this form of the invention, however, the valve body |530 is provided with a pressure supply port |25 which communicates at its inner end with the bores |62 and |04 and through a diagonal passageway |29 with the bores ||J| and |03 below the anges of the valve elements |07 and ||5. The flanges of the valve elements are pro- ',vided with apertures |27 which open into the `'annular spaces between the flanges and the plugs Il and ||8 so as to permit the passage of uid into said annular spaces to create pressure on opposite sides of the anges. The bleeding of uid from the annular spaces between the anges and the plugs in the ends of the bores through the bleed ports reduces the pressure on the anges whereby the pressure on the opposite.

side thereof functions to move the valve elements to open relation and thereby permit the ow of fluid through the valve C as described in the previous form of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a valve, a valve body having two pairs of valve chambers, the valve chambers of one pair being of similar formation and each including a large outer portion and an inner portion of reduced size in cross-section and providing a valve seat at the upper end of said inner portion forming a valve outlet port, the valve chambers of the other pair being of similar formation and each including a large outer portion, an intermediate portion of reduced size in cross-section and an inner portion of still further reduced size in -cross-section and forming a valve seat at the `upper end of said inner portion providing a valve return port, valve elements having flanges slidably fitting the large portions respectively of the rst mentioned pair of valve chambers and having reduced end portions respectively adapted to `engage the seats of said rst mentioned pair of valve chambers and said anges having apertures for the passage of fluid for exerting pressure against opposite sides thereof, valve elements having flanges slidably tting the large vportions respectively of the second mentioned lpair of valve chambers and having reduced end portions respectively adapted to engage the seats of said second mentioned pair of valve chambers Aand said flanges having apertures for the passage of fluid for exerting pressure against opposite sides thereof, and said last mentioned valve elements also having flanges slidably tting said intermediate portions of the second mentioned pair of valve chambers, means resiliently urging said valve elements towards closed relation on said seats, said valve body having two service ports, one of said service ports being in communication with the reduced inner end portion of one chamber of each of said pairs of chambers and the other service port being in communication with the reduced inner end portion of the other chamber of each pair and said valve body having a fluid inlet port communicating with said large outer portions of said chambers on one vside of the flanges slidably fitting said large outer portions thereof, a uid outlet port in' coinmunication with said intermediate portions of the `second mentionedpair of valve chambers and in communication with the service ports through said return ports respectively, a bleed port in communication with the large outer poi'- tion of one of the'valve chambers of each pair and another bleed port in communication with the large outer portion of the other valve chamber of each pair -at the opposite side of the anges from said uid inlet port for bleeding the fluid to thereby reduce the pressure on said flanges whereby the fluid pressure from the inlet port functions to move the valve elements tov open relation so as to permit the iiow of uid through one of said valve ports and through one of the return ports when the fluid bleed port communicating therewith is open and through the other valve port and the other return port when the other bleed port is open.

' 2. In a valve, a valve body having two pairs of valve chambers, the valve chambers of one pair being of similar formation and each includingI a larger outer portion and an inner portion of reduced size in cross-section and providing a valve seat at the upper end of said inner portion forming a valve outlet port,.th e valve chambers of the other pair being of similar formation and each including a large outer portion, an intermediate portion of reduced size in cross-section and an inner portion of. still further reduced size in crosssection and forming a Valve seat at the upper end of said inner portion providing a valve return port, valve elements having flanges slidably tting the large portions respectively of the first mentioned pair of valve chambers and having reduced end portions respectively adapted to enjgage the seats of said first mentioned pair of valve chambers and said valveelements having apertures for-the passage of fluid for exerting` pressure against opposite sides thereof, valve elements having flanges slidably fitting the large portions respectively of the second mentioned pair of valve chambers and having reduced end portions respectively adapted to engage the seats ofsaid second mentioned pair of valve chambers and said valve elements having apertures for the passage of fluid for i exerting pressure against opposite sides thereof, and said last mentioned valve elements alsohaving flanges slidably iitting saidintermediate portions of t.the second mentioned pairof valve chambers, means resiliently vurging said valve elements towards closed relation on said seats, said valve-body having two service ports, one of said service ports being in communication with the reduced inner portion of one chamber of each of said pairs ofy chambers and the other service portbe'ing in communica- Ation with the reducedinner portion of the other chamber of each pair and said valve body having a fluidV inlet port communicating with said large outer portions of said chambers on one side, ofthe flanges slidably ttingsaid large outer portions thereof, a fluid outlet port in. communication with said intermediate portions of the second mentioned pair of valve chambers and in communication with the service ports through said return ports respectively, a bleed port in communication with the large outer portion of oneof the valve chambers of each pair` and another bleed port in communication with the large outer portion of the other valve chamber of each pair vat vthe opposite side of the flanges from said uid inlet port for bleeding the fluidto thereby reduce the pressure on said flanges whereby the fluid pressure from the inlet port functions to move the valve elements to open relation so as to permit the flow of fluid through one of said valve ports and through one of the return ports when the iiuid bleed port communicating therewith is open and throug-h the other valve port and the other return port when the other bleed port is open.

3. In a valve, a valve body having two pairs of valve chambers, the valve chambers of one pair being of similar formation and each including a large outer portion and an inner portion of reduced size in cross-section and providing a valve seat at the upper end of said inner portion forming a valve outlet port, the valve chambers of the other pair being of similar formation and each including a large outer portion, an intermediate portion of reduced size in cross-section and an inner portion of still further reduced size in cross-section and forming a valve seat at the upper end of said inner portion providing a valve return port, hollow valve elements having flanges slidably fitting the large portions respectively of the rst mentioned pair of valve chambers and having reduced end portions respectively adapted to engage the seats of said first mentioned pair of valve chambers and said valve elements having lateral apertures communicating with th-e hollow interior thereof for the passage of iiuid for exerting pressure against opposite sides thereof, hollow valve elements having flanges slidably tting the large portions respectively of the second mentioned pair of valve chambers and having reduced end portions respectively adapted t engage the seats of said second mentioned pair of valve chambers and said valve elements having lateral apertures communicating with the hollow interior thereof for the passage of fluid for exerting pressure ag-ainst opposite sides thereof, and said last mentioned valve elements also having flanges slidably tting said intermediate portions of the second mentioned pair of valve chambers, means resiliently urging said valve elements to- Wards closed relation on said seats, said valve body having two service ports, one of said service 10 ports being in communication with the reduced inner portion of one chamber of each of said pairs of chambers and the other service port being in communication with the reduced inner portion of the other chamber of each pair and said valve body having a fluid inlet port communicating with said large outer portions of said chambers on one side of the flanges slidably fitting said large outer portions thereof, a fluid outlet port in communication with said intermediate portions of the second mentioned pair of valve chambers and in communication with the service ports through said return ports respectively, a bleed port in communication with the large outer portion of one of the valve chambers of each pair and another bleed port in communication with the large outer portion of the other valveo chamber of each pair at the opposite side of the flanges from said iiuid inlet port for bleeding the uid to thereby reduce the pressure on said flanges whereby the fluid pressure from the inlet port functions to move the valve elements to open relation so as to permit the flow of uid through one of said valve ports and through one of the return ports when the fluid bleed port communieating therewith is open and through the other valve port and the other return port when the other bleed port is open.

HARRY P. KUPIEC.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 537,103 Berry Apr. 9, 1895 1,636,859 Dempler July 26, 1927 1,777,128 Powell Sept. 30, 1930 1,930,557 Hughes Oct. 17, 1933 2,388,820 Bonnell Nov. 13, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 25,511 Great Britain of 1910 

